By Mardiyyah Abubakar
Kenya has recorded its first-ever Ebola death after a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) died after returning to the country.
Health Minister Aden Duale announced the death on Tuesday, saying the man fell ill about a month ago and received treatment in the DRC.
He later travelled by road to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi on October 3.
Duale said health officials screened the man after his arrival in Kenya and confirmed that he had Ebola.
He died on Monday night at about 11:30pm, according to the minister.
Health authorities have identified 28 contacts, including family members and healthcare workers.
So far, one of the contacts has tested positive for the virus.
Duale urged Kenyans not to panic, saying authorities had put measures in place to prevent further spread of the disease.
Kenya had not previously recorded an Ebola case.
Earlier this year, government plans to establish an Ebola facility at Laikipia Air Base, about 200 kilometres from Nairobi, sparked public concerns.
The DRC declared its 17th Ebola outbreak in mid-May.
According to the World Health Organisation, Ebola has killed more than 15,000 people in Africa over the past five decades.
As of October 2, the WHO had recorded 8,463 cases and 4,082 deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment.
